In December of 2016, Bajaj Auto introduced the Dominar 400 to the Indian market. The Bajaj Dominar 400 positioned itself in the sports touring category, an upcoming segment at the time. The brand also marketed the Dominar 400 against rivals synonyms with the modern-classic touring range from the Royal Enfield stable. The brand in 2019, also gave the Dominar a thorough update with parts such as upside-down front forks, DOHC valvetrain and dual-barrel exhaust, to name a few. But with time the price on the Dominar 400 kept increasing and finally, in 2020, Bajaj rolled out another affordable model in the Dominar portfolio, the Bajaj Dominar 250.
Though the Dominar 250 looks similar to its elder sibling there are key differences, first being the smaller quarter-litre engine as well as differences in its mechanical parts. Like the Dominar 400’s powertrain borrowed from the KTM 390, the Dominar also share engine specification from the KTM 250 Duke. The much affordable price tag and a similar amount of usable power also work in the advantage of the Dominar 250. In this comparison, we are going to pin both the siblings against each other so you can decide what is best for you in the small to medium capacity sports touring segment.
Engine:
The Bajaj Dominar 400 is powered by a BS6 compliant 373.3cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve triple-spark fuel-injected DOHC motor that produces 40 PS of power and 35 Nm of torque matched to a 6-speed gearbox. The Dominar 250, on the other hand, is powered by a BS6 compliant 248.77cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, DOHC fuel-injected twin-spark engine that produces 27 PS of power and 23.5 Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed gearbox. While the Dominar 400 produces 13 PS more power, nearly as much as the Suzuki Gixxer, the Dominar 250 tips the scales at 180 kg at the kerb a full 7 kgs less than the Dominar 400. The Dominar 400 will definitely have the advantage while accelerating but both motorcycles are comfortable doing the national speed limit without stressing the engine.
Chassis, Suspension, Brakes & Dimensions:
Both the Bajaj Dominar 400 and the Dominar 250 features a beam type perimeter frame but the Dominar 400 rides of larger 43mm diameter USD forks whereas the Dominar 250 features 37mm diameter USD front forks. Suspension travel on both the upside-down units is the same at 135mm. Both also ride on multi-step adjustable Monoshock with Nitrox and come with a wheel travel of 110 mm on the rear. The Dominar 400 features larger 320mm single disc on the front for the extra stopping power and a single 230mm disc on the rear equipped with hydraulically operated callipers armed with a dual-channel ABS system. The Dominar 250 comes with a 300mm hydraulically operated front disc and 230mm single disc on the rear with dual-channel ABS. Both are again similar in terms of dimensions and come with a 1,453mm of the wheelbase and offer the same ground clearance at 157mm. The fuel tank capacity is also the same at 13-litres. The Dominar 250 is expected to return a slightly better fuel economy over the Dominar 400 on the highway offering extra range from the same fuel.
Design & Features:
The Dominar siblings feature a roadster design language and come with a multi-LED headlamp, body-coloured headlamp shrouds with flyscreen, muscular fuel tank design, a negative full LCD instruments display, a secondary tank display with telltale lights, ergonomic seating for highway touring and all-round city rides, relaxed mid-set footpegs, body-coloured belly cowling, LED tail lamps and twin-tipped exhaust. The Dominar 400 is offered in two shades Aurora Green and Vine Black while the Dominar 250 comes with Canyon Red and Charcoal Black paint options.
Price:
This is where everything boils down to, the Dominar 400 is priced at INR 197,758 ex-showroom, Delhi The Dominar 250 is priced at INR 165,715 ex-showroom, Delhi making the quarter-litre around INR 32,000 more affordable than the Dominar 400. Now you have the power to decide.
Bajaj Dominar 400
Dominar 250